Flood crisis cuts off communities in Western Australia

Record-breaking floods in Australia’s northwest have resulted in many communities getting isolated.

Former tropical cyclone Ellie brought heavy rain to south-west Central Australia and restricted access to roads and remote communities after making a return to the Northern Territory over the weekend.

Concerns about food security and the possibility of major transport routes being cut have been raised. It has created an emergency situation in Kimberly, an area in the state of Western Australia which is about the size of California.

The town of Fitzroy Crossing (1,300 people) is among the worst-hit, with supplies having to be airlifted in due to flooded roads. The Bureau of Meteorology said on Sunday that rain had eased as the ex-cyclone shifted eastwards to the Northern Territory, but warned that “record breaking major flooding” continued in the Kimberley.

A major flood warning remains for the Fitzroy river and a generalised flood warning is current for the West Kimberley District along. A flood watch is also current for the Sandy Desert, Western Desert and Tanami Desert.

State emergency authorities have warned residents in other small communities of rising water in the region, which includes the resort town of Broome, about 1,240 miles (2,000 km) north of the state capital, Perth.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday described it as “devastating” and pledged federal assistance.